Ore leaching structure

Abstract

Ore leaching structure including a base portion, a shelter portion, a transfer portion and a treatment portion; the base portion including a peripheral concrete foundation, concrete wall sections extending upwardly therefrom, a concrete floor section extending between the wall sections, the floor section including at least one drain opening adjacent one wall section, the floor section being sloped from the other of the wall sections toward the drain opening; the shelter portion including vertical sections extending upwardly from the wall sections, the vertical sections and the wall sections together forming the sidewalls of the structure, a roof section extending between and joining the upper edges of the sidewalls; the transfer portion including a first group of doorways in a sidewall adjoining the sidewall along which the drain opening is located, the doorways being spaced along the length of the sidewall, a second group of doorways along a sidewall opposite to the first group of doorways, the doorways of the second group being aligned with the doorways of the first group, doors selectively covering the doorways; the treatment portion including conduits disposed below the roof section, a plurality of sprayheads associated with the conduits, the sprayheads being arranged substantially uniformly with respect to the floor section, equipment for providing liquid to the sprayheads, and equipment for collecting liquid from the drain opening.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. Ore leaching structure including a base portion, a shelter portion, a transfer portion and a treatment portion; said base portion including a peripheral concrete foundation, concrete wall sections extending upwardly therefrom, a crushed ore supporting concrete floor section extending between said wall sections, said floor section including at least one drain opening adjacent one wall section, said floor section being sloped from the other of said wall sections toward said drain opening; said shelter portion including vertical sections extending upwardly from said wall sections, said vertical sections and said wall sections together forming the sidewalls of said structure, a roof section extending between and joining the upper edges of said sidewalls; said transfer portion including a first group of crushed ore supplying doorways in a sidewall adjoining the sidewall along which said drain opening is located, said doorways of said first group being spaced along the length of said sidewall, a second group of leached ore removing doorways along a sidewall opposite to said first group of doorways, said doorways of said second group being aligned with said doorways of said first group, means for selectively covering said doorways; said treatment portion including conduit means disposed below said roof section, a plurality of spray means associated with said conduit means, said spray means being arranged substantially uniformly above crushed ore piled on said floor section to a depth of at least several feet, means for spraying liquid from said spray means to saturate said ore pile, and means for collecting liquid that has leached said ore pile from said drain opening. 
     
     
       2. Ore leaching structure according to claim 1 wherein said base portion has a generally rectangular configuration. 
     
     
       3. Ore leaching structure according to claim 1 including means for controlling the atmosphere in said structure. 
     
     
       4. Ore leaching structure according to claim 3 wherein said controlling means includes heating or cooling means. 
     
     
       5. Ore leaching structure according to claim 1 wherein said shelter portion is insulated. 
     
     
       6. Ore leaching structure according to claim 1 wherein said shelter portion is formed of metal. 
     
     
       7. Ore leaching structure according to claim 1 wherein said spray means are spaced sprayheads arranged in a series of rows.